Still waiting for Mayo’s prize-winning shot

When referee Colin Halligan blew his whistle a couple of minutes before the clock struck six o’clock last Sunday week, it pierced the cutting wind which swirled and swayed around the near-empty Athlone Town stadium.

Not that the ice cold wind mattered very much to the pool of brave and lionhearted Mayo League players who had just booked their tickets to the Oscar Traynor Cup final – a feat which has not been emulated by any Mayo team since the domestic 1980/81 season The victory paved the way for scenes of unbridled joy and jubilation from the players and team management alike.

The reason for their public display of collective exuberance was quite simple: a place had been secured in the final of one the most coveted of Irish junior soccer competitions, namely the Oscar Traynor inter-league national cup.

Equally, for the small band of loyal aficionados who made the trip into the geographical heartland of the country, it was a deserved outcome for their unrelenting support for the county team.

Drawn from rural and urban clubs across the county the eleven named panel plus substitutes displayed an indomitable spirit when overcoming the challenge of near neighbours Sligo/Leitrim District League on a 2-1 scoreline after an absorbing 97 minutes of play.

Team manager Joe Kelly and his backroom team have to be complimented for instilling into this tightly-knit unit, an enduring belief and confidence that has, indeed, been evident throughout the entire knock-out cup championship.

Confronted by time-insensitive and all-consuming deadlines, I immediately hit for the car within fifteen minutes of the final whistle to file some photographs for colleague Stuart Tynan who, himself, had been busy filing a report for the Western People website. Photos done and wired, I was immediately transported back in time to the Terenure venue on that balmy June Sunday afternoon some 43 years ago!

Memories came flooding back of covering the last time a Mayo squad represented the county with pride all those years ago. Western People colleague, Reggie Walsh, and myself, travelled to the Dublin venue with the legendary Ballina Town FC founding member and Westport native, the late and great Paddy Flynn whose enthusiasm and drive for the sport knew no equal. Paddy regaled us with some humorous anecdotal tales that kept us enthralled throughout the entire Dublin-bound journey.

Pitted against a very formidable and physically strong Leinster Senior League side Mayo gave it their all with some sterling performances from Pat Cresham, Lar Morahan, Greg Earls, Noelie Walsh, Michael Nallen and Fergie McEllin, to name but a few.

Although Lady Luck did not shine too brightly on the visiting Mayo side, one could not but marvel at the skill of one young Paul McGrath whose performance for the Leinster Senior League was peerless on the day. Yes, THAT Paul McGrath, who was later to go on and enthral legions of Manchester United, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland fans.

His innate defending skills, vision and all round consummate pitch performance was a joy to behold. Little wonder then that the Dalkey United player would soon afterwards transfer to Dublin club St Patrick’s Athletic and subsequently cross the Irish Sea to join the Red Devils.

From a Mayo viewpoint, our county flag bearers, managed by Swinford’s Donal Benson, put in a very creditable shift just coming up short in the end on a 2-nil scoreline.

Whatever the outcome will be of next Sunday’s national cup decider against the Waterford League remains to be seen, but let’s just hope the team gets the support in Castlebar that is so richly deserves.

Should we not crack it and have to wait another 43 years for a national cup triumph, here’s one who certainly won’t be around to cover it!